FIVE simple DIY jobs to consider this spring

The combination of winter moisture and intense heat from home heating systems can make door and window hinges seem a little musical this time of year. Most homes won’t have a fancy oil gun but they will probably have a tin of WD40 spray oil shoved way back in the cupboard somewhere. This will do just fine for erasing those pesky creaks and strains from doors. However, while WD40 is more than good enough for the job, for widow hinges and door lock sockets you might want to consider getting a grease gun from the local DIY shop. Applying grease instead of spray oil lasts longer and is a far better lubricant than spray oil in the long-term.

This is one of the most obvious jobs that needs doing, yet also one of the easiest to remedy. We tend to open our windows less in wintertime (for obvious reasons!) so bathrooms, in particular, tend to be a holiday resort for pesky mould which builds up around shower tiles and bathroom tiles, generally. This problem manifests itself by way of an orange-like mould which forms in between tiles. It’s unsightly if left out of control, while it’s also conducive to moisture seeping between the tiles the more the grout erodes. Get to the local DIY shop and ask where the grout pens are. In less than five minutes you’ll have those tiles you paid a pretty penny for looking new again. This isn’t as easy as it sounds and depending on the scale, height and proximity of the foliage in question it might be worthwhile getting an expert in. But see that you do. Overhanging trees and branches are not only a nuisance because of the green, mossy residue it leaves on roofs, walls etc, but they’re also dangerous when a storm brews as they can cause damage to property if felled erratically by high winds. Spring is also a great time to get out with the cutters as trees are bare which makes it an ideal time to snip away to your heart’s content. Don’t believe me? Try the same job on a fully flourishing tree in summertime and you’ll soon discover that doing it in spring reduces labour considerably.

If you don’t do this job now you’re likely to forget it once the mild weather comes and you don’t notice it as much. I’m referring to those cold and drafty breezes through windows and doors that torment us this time of year. Be honest: how many times have you sat down at night in the living room and said the following: “I must fix that breeze in the window”? Sound familiar? But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Drafty windows and doors rank in the Top 5 most common DIY complaints which is why early spring is the time to do it. It’s simple: identify the exposed parts with a little scribe from a marker pen. Then get a silicone gun and fill the gaps using a cup of warm, soapy water to clean your fingers in-between applications. Job done. Now before you go getting the wrong end of the stick here, I’m talking about rodents. These guys are a nuisance from early autumn right through to late spring when they look to enjoy the comforts of your home until temperatures start to rise. Again, this is one of those jobs that needs attention now rather than when it’s not such a problem or when you’re most likely not to notice the signs. Remember the golden rule: absence of evidence doesn’t necessarily mean evidence of absence. Rats and mice might be enjoying lodgings and you don’t even notice. Check the attic, garage, adjoining sheds, under sinks, utility rooms, behind presses. Basically any part of the property that you use less of during wintertime. Also, walk around the outside of your home and make sure there’s no gaps in the walls to hip height where they can gain entry.